Complete set of the 1940
daily
strips.
The first Hollywood adaptation of Li'l Abner was made in 1940.
Newspaper columnist Michael Price and the late film historian George
Turner provide a fascinating history of this largely forgotten movie,
complete with 9 rare stills and lobby cards. The back cover features
the very rare Li'l Abner movie poster and another lobby card in
full color. Buster Keaton plays Lonesome Polecat in the
film but the once hugely popular silent star was in such professional
disgrace by 1940 that he was not even listed among the seven acting
credits on the film poster! A sidebar provides backgrounds on the
producer, director and actors. A second introduction by editor Dave
Schreiner provides a political and historical context for the strip
itself in 1940.

The year begins with Capp's parody
of
John
Steinbeck'sThe Grapes of Wrath (also made into a movie
this year). Dogpatch is wiped out by turnip termites, so our favorite
hillbillies are lured to Boston to pick oranges in winter! Li'l Abner
also learns how to woo "Dogpatch style" from Adam Lazonga, whom
Schreiner speculates is based on controversial philosopher and free
thinker Bertrand Russell or possibly playwright George
Bernard Shaw. In another episode Mammy and Pappy Yokum
get a 100 year-old letter and rush off to the California gold rush. Earthquake
McGoon is introduced in the daily strip this year, as is the
popular phrase, "As any fool kin plainly see!" Plus the annual Sadie
Hawkins Day Race. The cover is drawn by Peter Poplaski.

Complete set of the 1940
daily
strips.
The first Hollywood adaptation of Li'l Abner was made in 1940.
Newspaper columnist Michael Price and the late film historian George
Turner provide a fascinating history of this largely forgotten movie,
complete with 9 rare stills and lobby cards. The back cover features
the very rare Li'l Abner movie poster and another lobby card in
full color. Buster Keaton plays Lonesome Polecat in the
film but the once hugely popular silent star was in such professional
disgrace by 1940 that he was not even listed among the seven acting
credits on the film poster! A sidebar provides backgrounds on the
producer, director and actors. A second introduction by editor Dave
Schreiner provides a political and historical context for the strip
itself in 1940.

The year begins with Capp's parody
of
John
Steinbeck'sThe Grapes of Wrath (also made into a movie
this year). Dogpatch is wiped out by turnip termites, so our favorite
hillbillies are lured to Boston to pick oranges in winter! Li'l Abner
also learns how to woo "Dogpatch style" from Adam Lazonga, whom
Schreiner speculates is based on controversial philosopher and free
thinker Bertrand Russell or possibly playwright George
Bernard Shaw. In another episode Mammy and Pappy Yokum
get a 100 year-old letter and rush off to the California gold rush. Earthquake
McGoon is introduced in the daily strip this year, as is the
popular phrase, "As any fool kin plainly see!" Plus the annual Sadie
Hawkins Day Race. The cover is drawn by Peter Poplaski.